thanks

thanks

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Pronunciation

thanks: /θæŋks/ - /θ/ (voiceless dental fricative) + /æ/ (near-open front unrounded vowel) + /ŋ/ (velar nasal) + /k/ (voiceless velar plosive) + /s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative)

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Word Form Variations

Noun:

• Singular: thank

• Plural: thanks

Verb:

• Base form: thank

• Third-person singular present: thanks

• Past tense: thanked

• Present participle: thanking

• Past participle: thanked

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• thanks (plural, used with a singular or plural verb)

1. An expression of gratitude or appreciation for a kindness, service, or gift received.

• Synonyms: gratitude, appreciation, acknowledgment, recognition

• Antonyms: ingratitude, ungratefulness

2. (often in the singular "thank") The feeling of gratitude itself.

• Synonyms: thankfulness, gratefulness, appreciation

• Antonyms: resentment, displeasure

Verb

• thank (transitive)

1. To express gratitude or appreciation to someone for something.

• Synonyms: appreciate, acknowledge, recognize, show gratitude

• Antonyms: disregard, ignore, scorn

2. (often in the passive voice) To hold someone responsible for a particular outcome, often in an ironic or sarcastic way.

• Synonyms: blame, credit (ironic), hold accountable

• Antonyms: absolve, exonerate

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of her. Thanks, Elara, he thought, knowing she'd saved him from an even worse fate." (From a fantasy novel published in 2023)

• "The concluding chapter offered a heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the extensive research for the book, acknowledging their invaluable support." (From an academic text, October 2022)

Newspapers:

• "Local residents extended a collective thanks to the fire department for their swift response to the recent brush fire, preventing further damage." ( The Daily Herald)

• "The editorial highlighted the importance of a free press, stating, 'We owe our democracy a sincere thanks for its enduring principles.'" ( National Post)

Online Publications:

• "Google's AI team recently posted on X (formerly Twitter), 'Big thanks to our incredible community for your feedback on our latest model!'" (X)

• "In an article on The Verge, the author wrote, 'The new operating system offers significant performance improvements, thanks to a complete overhaul of its core architecture.'" (The Verge)

• "A popular food blog, Serious Eats, shared a recipe with the caption, 'Give thanks for fresh, seasonal ingredients with this vibrant summer salad.'" (Serious Eats)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Television Show: "At the end of a sitcom episode, a character might say, 'Well, thanks for nothing!' after a failed attempt at help." (Common trope in many sitcoms, e.g., Friends, 1990s-2000s)

• Podcast: "In a recent episode of The Daily, the host concluded, 'That's it for The Daily today. Many thanks for listening, and we'll be back tomorrow.'" (The Daily podcast, June 2025)

• Movie: "A character, after being rescued, might gasp, 'Thanks... you saved my life!'" (Seen in countless action or adventure films, e.g., Mission: Impossible franchise)

• Video Game: "Upon completing a quest in an RPG, a non-player character might say, 'Many thanks, adventurer! You have saved our village.'" (Common dialogue in RPGs like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, November 2011)

General Public Discourse:

• "A shopper might say to a cashier, 'Thanks!' after receiving their change." (Everyday interaction)

• "After someone holds a door open, another person typically responds with, 'Thanks!'" (Common courtesy)

• "You might hear someone on the phone say, 'Okay, thanks for the information, I'll call you back.'" (Casual conversation)

• "At a public meeting, an organizer might say, 'A big thanks to everyone who volunteered their time today.'" (Community event)

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10 Quotes Using Thanks

1. "I can no other answer make, but, thanks, And thanks, and ever thanks." (William Shakespeare)

2. "So long, and thanks for all the fish." (Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

3. "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thanks, it will be enough." (Meister Eckhart)

4. "The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing." (Hannah Whitall Smith)

5. "When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength." (Tecumseh)

6. "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." (Oprah Winfrey)

7. "I'd like to say to all my fans out there, thanks for the support. And to all my doubters, thank you very much because you guys have also pushed me." (Usain Bolt)

8. "Many thanks for your kind words and wishes." (This is a common, well-known polite expression)

9. "Thanks for being a friend." (Andrew Gold, theme song to The Golden Girls)

10. "God gave us our relatives; thank God we can choose our friends." (Ethel Watts Mumford)

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Etymology

The word "thanks" has a fascinating history that takes us back to the very roots of the English language!

At its core, "thanks" comes from an old Germanic idea that links thought with gratitude.

Imagine someone doing something nice for you. You think about their kindness, and that positive thought then turns into a feeling of gratitude. This is where the word comes from.

The earliest known form of the word in Old English (before 1150 AD) was þanc (pronounced something like "thawnk"). Interestingly, at this time, þanc meant both "thought" and "gratitude." So, when someone expressed þanc, they were essentially saying, "I have good thoughts about what you've done for me," which then evolved into expressing thanks.

Over time, this "good thought" or "favorable feeling" developed specifically into the meaning of "gratitude" or "an expression of gratitude" that we use today. The plural form "thanks" as a direct expression of gratitude, often a shortened version of "I give you thanks," became common later, around the 14th century, though its widespread use as a standalone informal expression didn't become routine until the 19th century.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Thanks

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "thanks":

• Thanks a bunch: An informal expression of gratitude, sometimes used sarcastically.

• Thanks a million: An emphatic expression of gratitude.

• Thanks to: Used to attribute a result or outcome, often positive.

• No thanks: A polite refusal.

• Thanks for nothing: An sarcastic expression of frustration when help or effort was useless or detrimental.

• Many thanks: A more formal and earnest expression of gratitude.

• Thanks be to God: An expression of relief or gratitude, often in a religious context.

• Give thanks: To express gratitude.

• Have yourself to thank: To be responsible for one's own situation, often negative.

• Thanks, but no thanks: A polite but firm refusal.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of thanks from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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